Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Learning Style From the Women in Our Family
A Legacy of Style
I wasn’t the first girl who was introduced to the world of fashion by her mother. Plenty of us can remember playing with our mom’s jewelry or tottering in her highest heels. One of my most vivid memories involves begging my mom to let me wear the shoes from her wedding day (mostly because they were covered in white glitter and reminded me of glass slippers).
My mom is what I would call a glamazon. People have been in awe of her daring wardrobe for as long as I can remember. When I visit home with friends, I’m asked to give tours of her closet. Little did I know that, 20 years later, I’d still be sneaking into her closet for style inspiration — only now I can actually fit into her clothes, but not her size 5 shoes, sadly (though I doubt I’d be able to strut around in her 7-inch wedges, anyway).
As I recently began sifting through old family photos, it became clear that my mother wasn’t the first woman of style in the family. She came from a long line of glamour queens, including her own grandmother, who was donning kitten heels and classic fur stoles back in the early 1940s. Looking at these family photos gave me insights I never would have found in a magazine. Sometimes our own family histories can bring us the most inspiring ideas.
Mom: 1970s Glam
[Pictured: 1. Arrow triangle earrings by SilkPurseSowsEar; 2. Tribal skinny cuff by SOFTGOLDSTUDIO; 3. '70s Luxe jumpsuit from LittleBeeVintage; 4. Vintage boho suede bag from HulaGirl1922; 5. '70s Leather cape from TheParaders; 6. '40s Chorus girl platforms from Parlourthearchives.]
As a child of the 70’s, my mom scours the internet for the vintage jumpsuits and sky high platforms she grew up wearing. She’ll even go for the occasional 60’s mini dress. But she always manages to keep her look contemporary by mixing vintage and modern accessories.
Grandma Willy: ’50s Bombshell
[Pictured: 1. '50s Bone white faux ostrich handbag from missfarfalla; 2. '30s Peep-toe with etched heel from VintagePointShop; 3. '50s Blush brocade cocktail dress from onefortynine; 4. Little drop earrings by LaurenHauptJewelry; 5. Vintage pom pom stole from secret lake.]
I grew up hearing stories about my grandmother going out to the Copacabana and being serenaded by Sinatra himself. Her stylish look could have rivaled any Hollywood bombshell’s. From her white fur stole to her pale, fitted cocktail dresses, she embodied the glamour of the 1950’s.
Grandma Carol: ’60s Work Chic
[Pictured: 1. '60s Scarf from StaceyCarlisleVntg; 2. Mint fused glass earringsby boldcolorglass; 3. Jackie O. '50s-'60s suit from Vintagephilosophy; 4. Tangerine suede handbag from LoveButlerVintage; 5. '60s Taranto court shoes fromWagonWheelVintageOz.]
As the breadwinner of her family, my Grandma Carol captured the style of 1960s fashionable professionals. And she always kept her conservative look fresh and upbeat by wearing a bright color palette and floral prints, reminiscent of Doris Day.
Great-Grandma Kay: Tailored Elegance
[Pictured: 1. '40s-'50s Black petal wool hat from NevermoreVintage; 2. '50s Faux fur coat from CultOfVintageStore; 3. '40s Day dressfrom NodtoModvintage; 4. Vintage gold tone heart locket from armychic4lyfe; 5.'40s Onyx suede cross-strap sandal from clevernettle; 6. '40s Black leather pursefrom HolliePoint.]
Classic and elegant, my great-grandmother was always seen wearing fashionable hats and dark tailored dresses. Her look has always reminded me of the noir vixens of her time.
Gabriella Cetrulo is a freelance illustrator with a BFA in illustration from Parsons the New School for Design. She is also the shop owner of vintage oasis Tomorrow Is Forever. She is in the process of opening a second online shop featuring her illustration work.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Clueless Fashion - I love that movie & yes, they wore some cute clothes :)
Clueless Fashion
Okay, so junior high is a hard place for most people. You’re surrounded by your peers as your body starts doing strange things, and all you want to do is fade into your surroundings so that no one sees your new acne. My main concern was keeping boys from noticing that I somehow managed to be the only flat-chested girl in the 7th grade. But that was a pretty tall order when something even bigger than my rival’s newfound popularity rolled into my life: the 1995 comedy classic, Clueless.
Until then, I knew nothing about the world of patent leather miniskirts and miniature backpacks, but from the moment I heard my new hero utter the famous words “as if,” my wardrobe (and my life) changed forever. From that day on (well, technically until 9thgrade), I refused to wear anything but Mary Janes and cropped tops. (Luckily, I was blessed with an open-minded and fashion-forward mother.)
Since then, I’ve patiently awaited the day when the ’90s would return and I could wear my miniature backpacks again. That day has come. This week, I made it my mission to seek out and reinvent Clueless style.
Daytime Cher: “WHERE’S MY WHITE COLLARLESS SHIRT FROM FRED SEGAL?!”
[1. Vintage mini backpack from 20twentyvintage 2. Vintage beret fromAniandrose 3. Cotton candy collar blouse by Elcaldero 4. Ombre tights byBZRshop 5. Feather pen by Annemusingdesigns 6. Bib necklace by LauraBuscony 7.Vintage white Mary Jane shoes from Weararetheynow]
Cher was the preppiest of her crew, wearing a white collared shirt, mini-backpack, and a pair of Mary Janes.
Date Cher: “Looks like we’re gonna have to make a cameo at the Val party.”
[1. Sheer button-up from GaudyGod 2. Vintage sunglasses from Lelove 3. Leather cutout wedges from Salvagelife 4. Red bodycon dress from Gwizvintage 5. Peter Pan collar necklace by AmprisLoves 6. Pink geometric earrings byReintroducedShop 7. Canvas and leather bag by StellaandLori 8. Bracelet ring chain connector by Anatego]
Whether Cher was going out on a date or to the nearest Valley party with her BFF’s, she always kept it simple with a short body-con dress and a sheer top.
Tai: “Ugh. Skateboards. That’s like so five years ago.”
[1. Shoulderless tunic by HelloDearieVintage 2. Yin Yang hologram ring fromMiracleEye 3. Ombré denim shorts by Rerunvintage 4. Landscape digital print shirt by StAnderswo 5. Vintage Doc Martens from Santokivintage 6. Leather and denim bag by Thingslikediamonds 7. Circle sunglasses from LeLove 8. '90s clear boots from FeelingVagueVintage]
When Tai arrived at her new school in Beverly Hills, she donned the grunge trends of the ’90s — flannel tops and lots of denim. I think she had great style despite Cher’s claim that Tai was “clueless.”
Dee: “Been shopping with Dr. Suess?”
[1. Purple faux fur jacket from Redleatheryellow 2. Scallop edge necklace byTinyArmour 3. Peak brass ring by YoungFrankk 4. Leopard faux fur hat byFrecklescalifornia 5. Handmade crop top by Sunclassixx 6. Flat bangle bag byMsWood 7. Vintage mini skirt from SHOPAT851 8. Aqua Aura ring by AstralEYE]
When it came to style, Dee was definitely the boldest of her friends. I remember her for her wild prints, bright colors, cropped tops and over-the-top hats.
Whatever – I’m outie!
Gabriella Cetrulo is a freelance illustrator with a BFA in illustration from Parsons the New School for Design. She is also the shop owner of vintage oasis Tomorrow Is Forever. She is in the process of opening a second online shop featuring her illustration work.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
How to Make Cool Zig-Zag Rocker Shorts
Zigzag Shorts
When a heat wave rolls in, I find myself reaching for sandals, sun tea, and scissors for snipping old outfits into something more summery. For this week's How-Tuesday, Etsy Admin Nicole Licht (a.k.a. yomissnicole) and her daughter Lucia (a.k.a. Luciaa) penned a post on transforming a pair of bland second-hand jeans into some rock star quality duds with a few household materials and some geometric ingenuity.
I love combing through my closet and drawers at the beginning of each new season. More often than not, potential springs forth in something once overlooked. For summer, my sweet teen, Lucia, and I worked together using thrifted jeans, masking tape, bleach and an old studded belt, to create some killer summer shorts. Super fun and super easy — rock on!
Supplies you’ll need:
- Natural bristle paintbrush
- Old jeans
- Metal studs reclaimed from a studded leather belt
- 2 cardboard rectangles cut the length and width of the legs of the shorts you’ll be cutting
- 1” masking tape
- 7 : 8 bleach to water solution
Directions:
1. Dig through your closest and find that pair of jeans that you’ve been thinking of cutting into shorts.
2. Cut them down to a bit longer than you might want them to be.
3. Using masking tape, create a zigzag pattern. Try and leave about 1” between each tape zigzag.
4. Insert cardboard into the shorts. This will keep the bleach from seeping though to the other side.
5. After laying the shorts flat in your bathtub, paint the bleach solution on the exposed jean zigzags. Let sit for about 15 minutes.
6. Remove cardboard inserts and rinse. After a few minutes, remove masking tape and finish rinsing out all bleach residues. Hang to dry.
7. Remove studs from an old belt, if you have one, making sure to bend prongs outward. (You can also use new metal studs.)
8. Lie out studs on jeans and poke the prongs through the fabric. Use pliers to bend back prongs and secure.
9. Try on your shorts and perfect the length. Trim away any additional inches.
Voila!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
How To: Make your own Tees
How-Tuesday: Raw-Edged Appliqué
The arrival of spring provides a much needed breath of fresh air, as well as sunny bike rides, crocuses showing their colorful faces, a lighter wardrobe, and a cleaner closest (well, maybe). Kick off your spring cleaning by clearing out your stash of fabric scraps. Refashion an old garment into a perpetual work-in-progress with this week's How-Tuesday project, shared with us by Jennifer Cooke of Raeburn Ink and Design Your Own Tees.
Score your own copy of Design Your Own Tees right here on Etsy!
This is a great project for leftover scraps that are too small to use for anything else. Fabrics will fray at different rates, and some might eventually disappear in the wash, leaving the stitching exposed. Embrace the unpredictable results of this project, and you will have a truly one-of-a-kind tee.
Supplies you’ll need: 
- A T-shirt dress (or other garment)
- Scraps of fabric in a variety of colors
- Contrasting thread
- Scissors or a rotary cutter + cutting mat
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Washing machine
- Hexagon template
Directions:
1. Make a pattern piece out of the hexagon template (download here), or create your own pattern piece in the shape of your choice using paper or lightweight cardboard. Adjust the scale of the hexagon template, if you'd like.
2. Cut out lots of hexagons from the fabric scraps. You can use scissos or a rotary cutter and a cutting mat. Note: Remember to always roll the rotary cutter away from yourself — it is very sharp and can give you a nasty cut. (I'm speaking from personal experience here!)
3. Arrange the hexagons on your T-shirt in a pattern that pleases you.
4. Pin them in place.
5. Stitch around the edges of the hexagons with a straight stitch. (I chose to stitch my whole project in one contrasting thread color to add some punch.) Remember to leave enough fabric around the edges to allow for some nice fraying.
6. Backstitch to secure each piece.
7. Now it's all up to chance. Wear your tee and delight in how much it changes each time you wash it.
Thank you to Jennifer Cooke and the good folks at St. Martin's Press for sharing this project. For more ways to revamp your wardrobe, check out Design Your Own Tees.
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